Grace Lutheran Church Oshawa

1st Sunday after Christmas    December 22, 2019

Welcome in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. If you are visiting, we are glad that you are here and kindly ask that you sign our guest book at the sanctuary doors. If you would like to become a member please speak to the Pastor. In case of illness, the Pastor should be informed. He will always be glad to speak with those who are confronted with problems of a spiritual nature. The time before worship is a quiet time for prayer and meditation to prepare for worship. Please see the inside cover of the hymnal for prayers and page 329f to prepare for Holy Communion. Since the Lord’s Supper gives the forgiveness of sins in the body and blood of Christ to all who believe the words “given and shed for you” and is also a celebration of oneness in faith, we ask that only those who have professed such faith publicly in a Lutheran Church-Canada (or Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) congregation and are in good standing, to come to the Lord’s Altar.  Everyone intending to commune for the first time is asked to speak with the Pastor prior to the service. Communicant members are asked to sign the communion book found in the narthex.

​

God’s Word Is Fulfilled for Us in the Flesh and Blood of Christ Jesus, the Son of Mary

The Fourth Sunday in Advent turns our attention toward the Nativity of Our Lord. With the blessed Virgin Mary, we await the coming of the Christ, her Son, conceived in her womb by the Word and Spirit of God. This fulfillment of the sign once given to the House of David, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Is. 7:14), is now given to us in the Gospel. It declares that salvation is by His grace alone, entirely His work and a free gift. It is also the way and means by which the Lord our God is Immanuel, “God with us.” The almighty and eternal Son of God is conceived and born of Mary, and is thus “descended from David according to the flesh” (Rom. 1:3–4). He comes in this way to save us with His own flesh and blood; wherefore, He is called “Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). As Joseph received this sign in faith and immediately “did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Matt. 1:24), we also live by faith in this Holy Gospel.

4:4–6).

​

Collect of the Day

Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

​

ORDER OF SERVICE:  :  Setting Three  page 184.

                   The Introit is sung responsively by half-verse on the insert. (Series A)

                   The Gloria in Excelsis is omitted during Advent. 

          

​READINGS:   :     Isaiah 7:10 – 17          Romans 1: 1 - 7                      Matthew 1:18 – 25

​

HYMNS:   354,  357,  353 (offering),  621,  361,  810

​

Presiding Minister (P):  Rev. Jack Hetzel                                          Assisting minister (A) lay: Shane

Organist/Pianist: Paula                                                                      Acolyte: Christine

Sound System: Philip                                                                        Webmaster:  Michael

Secretary: Lorna Tue, Debby Fri                                                                          

​

Bible Class

Sunday 9:30am

 

PRAYER INTERCESSIONS:

Members of Grace: Lori; Fran; Heinz & Irmgard; Albina; Dennis; Jane; Debbie & Stephanie; Sherran; Herta; Betty; Anne; Bob; Ray; Viena; Fred; Phil; Carolyn; Sandy’s uncle Jim died.  His funeral was on Wed. in Lindsay.

 

For Friends and Fellow Christians: Marlene; Soraya (cancer); Lili; Jeannie; Donna & Walter; Chris;  Susan; Heather; George & Waldtraut; Mardelle; Gheorghe;  David; Anne and family; Corrina; Elina; Lilia, mother of Rosa (in Columbia); Parker family (death of Bob and dying son Mark); family of deceased John; family of deceased Al; Christina and daughter Maria; Diana who gave birth to her third child, a girl on Dec. 13. (Diana is Kathy’s daughter)

​

PRAYER CHAIN:  for anyone who is in need of prayer.  The prayer chain members will be called with your confidential request. Only the name will be made known to the prayer chain unless instructed otherwise. Please call Paula.

 

LLC - NEW!: Starting Sunday, January 5 LCC will join together weekly praying for our missions and ministries at home and abroad. There is a new Missionairy each week.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Invite your grandchildren and neighbourhood children to come and hear the wonders of our God through His saving Word.  It starts at 9:30am every Sunday in the lower level at the end of the hall.  God bless our teachers, Iulia Preda and Lisa Hetzel as well as all our children who believe in Jesus.

 

TALK RADIO FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON...You can listen to Christmas hymn studies on "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come," "Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising," "We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth," "Let All Together Praise Our God," and "From East to West."  Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  You can listen at your convenience at www.issuesetc.org and on the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

 

LUTHERAN HOUR: Hear this inspirational message on CHAM 820 AM  at _8AM December 22; Here to Stay"; Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler; So long as there is time, God won't leave us alone-even if we say that's what we want. The message of Christmas is that God has come to be with us and He's here to stay. How do we know? Dr. Michael Zeigler says God has given us both direct and indirect signs that point us toward this truth. (Matthew 1:18-25)

 

ST VINCENT’S KITCHEN:  If anyone would like to help with our team that helps to feed the homeless and destitute, call Charlie or Christine Farnell at 905-263-8497.  Your help would be appreciated on any shift every 4th Saturday of every month.

 

MISSION QUILTS: In 2019, we shipped a total of 93 quilts and 1 blanket to Canadian Lutheran World Relief. This was possible because of the help of people in our community.  A heart-felt thank you to everyone that supported the project. May you all have a Blessed Christmas.   We will be back working on this Mission Project on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. See you then.  If you have any questions concerning this Mission Project please don`t hesitate to speak with Minnie Harfmann or Ann Cameron.

 

USHERS NEEDED: We need more volunteers for the ushering team. If you are interested in helping out with this important part of our worship service, please talk to Mark or one of the elders.

 

COMMUNION REGISTRATION:  in place of the communion cards in the pew racks to register for the Lord’s Supper, beginning next Sunday, please sign your name on the list beside the guest book by the doors to the sanctuary.  The cards left in the pews are for the guests and visitors to fill out.  Your registration helps to keep track of members who are communing and those who are not so that we can visit them and find out why they would be undernourished.  Also, it helps us to know how many wafers and how much wine is needed.

 

CHRISTMAS SERVICES:  DEC 24 Candlelight service @ 7:00 pm and Christmas Day @10:30 am

 

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:  may be placed in the holder outside the office door and for the monthly calendar.  Items for the Bulletin are due by Wednesday of each week by noon and 3rd Sunday of the month for calendar.  You can email the info to office@gracelutheranoshawa.net                                                      

FOOD DONATIONS: To make our birthday luncheons a success we need your help.  Contact Jane or Debby; We also need members to be on our Emergency Funeral Support Call List for food donations. Please contact Debby Miller by office email or office voicemail to be added to the List. Thanks and blessings

 

CHURCH KEYS:  Members that no longer need their church keys can you please return them to the office; new trustees and some council members are in need of them.  To get new keys cut are costly around $75 per key.  Thank You.  Debby

 

​This Week under Grace

 

Today (b)        9:30am                     Bible Class and Sunday School

                        10:30am                   Divine Service

Tuesday (w)   7:00pm                     CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

Wednesday     10:30am                   CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE

Thursday                                          St. Stephen, Martyr

Friday                                              St. John, Apostle & Evangelist

                                                         St. Vincent’s Kitchen

Saturday                                          The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Sunday (w)     9:30am                     Bible Class

                        10:30am                   Divine Service